Buxton officials are mulling whether to hire a town planner, and whether to explore the possibility of sharing a planner with two neighboring towns.

Buxton Selectman Robert Libby said he thinks the town needs a planner, but, “I wouldn’t be in favor of paying for a full-time planner,” he said.

Representatives from both Waterboro and Hollis have contacted Buxton about the possibility of sharing a town planner. Like Buxton, none wants the expense of a full-time planner. Hollis Selectman Ben Severance thought his town would have to pay $50,000 to $60,000 salary for a planner, if Hollis went alone.

A town planner would review applications of major housing subdivisions, along with commercial and industrial developments, for compliance with town ordinances, and would make recommendations to town planning boards. A planner would also study ordinances and zoning in connection with a town’s comprehensive plan.

Buxton Code Enforcement Officer Fred Farnham thinks the town needs a planner. He recently sent a letter to selectmen asking the board to consider a part- time planner. Farnham also asked selectmen to hire a secretary for the planning board, which now utilizes the code office secretary.

“Buxton is at a point of transition in its growth where it needs to prepare and provide for residential and commercial development,” Farnham wrote.

Buxton, Waterboro and Hollis are all growing communities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2005, Buxton’s population was 8,163, up from 7,452 in 2000, a 9.5 percent increase; Hollis was 4,556, up from 4,114, a 10.7 percent increase; and Waterboro was 7,233, up from 6,214, a 16.4 percent increase

Evan Grover, chairman of Waterboro selectmen, said the towns have similar issues. “There are a lot of people moving in,” Grover said.

He pointed out that Waterboro is close to the Portland area, has a Hannaford supermarket and soon will have a new urgent-care clinic through Goodall Hospital in Sanford.

While Grover said Waterboro needs a planner, he would like to share one with a neighboring community. “We don’t need a full-time planner,” he said.

Waterboro has also contacted Lyman, Arundel and Hollis about sharing a planner. Grover thought a three-way deal, splitting costs of hiring a planner with two other towns, could be possible.

Severance thought the three towns could work out a regionalization agreement. “Maybe all three towns should get together,” Severance said.

Severance has chatted with Buxton Selectman Cliff Emery about sharing a town planner, and Severance has suggested getting planning boards involved in discussions. But no talks involving Buxton had been scheduled as of this week.

Buxton already shares rescue service and a historical society with Hollis. Severance said Buxton and Hollis are similar. “There’s not much difference between the towns,” Severance noted.

Each of the three towns would have to identify how many hours a week a planner would be needed. “None of us know how much we would utilize a planner,” Severance said.

The chairman of the Buxton Planning Board said it now needed help. “We need somebody to assist us,” said Keith Emery. “The selectmen are looking into it.”

Buxton selectmen are studying the proposal to determine costs and how many hours a week that the town actually would require a planner. “We would have to look at our needs,” said Selectman Jean Harmon.

But Emery wondered about paying the salary for the position. He doubted enough revenue could be generated through fees. Harmon said money for a planner position would have to be budgeted.

Buxton citizens vote on the overall budget in town meeting. The town’s voters would have to approve hiring a planner because it would create a new department for the town, Libby said. “It’s another expense on the tax rate,” Libby said.

Libby is concerned whether a planner would also share similar thinking with Buxton selectmen about the town’s future. “All I want to do is to make sure a planner is in line with the thinking of selectmen,” Libby said. “We want to be what we are.”

In Hollis, Severance wanted to digest the possibility. “We need to take it home and put it by the fire and kick it around a bit,” Severance said.